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Three people were arrested on a picket line outside a Mersey refinery today where drivers are striking in a row over pay and conditions.

Unite members working for Suttons Tankers at the Eastham refinery have been on strike since last Friday.

The arrests were made today as protestors supporting the strikers attempted to stop four tankers crossing the picket line at the refinery gate.

The union says Suttons wants to dismiss more than 30 workers, including all tanker drivers and fitters, to hire them again on “inferior contracts”. Unite says the proposals would “slash our members’ conditions and pay rates”.

Suttons says the changes are essential to protect jobs in the long term. The company operates tankers for the refinery, which is run by Nynas.

Merseyside Police confirmed that a 31-year-old man from New Brighton, a 21-year-old woman from Dovecot and a 53-year-old woman from Prenton were arrested on suspicion of wilful obstruction of the highway.

Unite regional officer Colin Carr said the arrests happened after three people who had joined the picket line to show their support for the strikers tried to stop four tankers from being driven into the site.

The scene on the picket line at the Eastham refinery in Wirral, after three were arrested as a dispute between Unite and Suttons continues (Image: Social media)

Mr Carr said the strike remained strong and added: “If anything, today has made it even stronger.

“No other tankers have tried to enter the refinery in the five days since the dispute has been ongoing.”